One of the government's scientific advisers has said he fears 'another lockdown Christmas' following an 'unacceptable' lack of action amid rising coronavirus case numbers.
Professor Peter Openshaw, a member of the New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (Nervtag), said he was "very fearful" that strict measures would need to be introduced.
He fears it would be the second festive season in a row under lockdown conditions if the government does not act urgently to bring down Covid-19 infection rates.
Ministers have so far refused to implement so-called 'Plan B' measures, which may include a return to mandatory face coverings in some settings and home working, and the introduction of Covid vaccine passports for venues such as